Azalea 'Santa Maria'

Description: A compact dwarf evergreen Japanese Azalea with small, dark green leaves. In mid Spring an abundance of large glowing orange scarlet flowers providing a long lasting display. Santa Maria is a strong growing plant of upright habit with good glossy dark green leaves and makes a highly attractive border plant.

Uses: The front of any woodland boder or dhaded area.Good in containers.

Climate/Position: Sunny position

Height/Spread: Up to 1m x 1metres.

Soil Requirements: Rhododendrons prefer soils with a low pH or peaty/ ericaceous soil to avoid chlorosis or yellowing of the leaves.

Pruning: Generally avoid pruning. Flower stalks can be pinched out (by finger and thumb rather than secateurs) when flowering is complete. Well established plants will respond well to regenerative pruning if required.

Special Requirements: Applying a mulch regularly around the plant will help moisture retention in the soil. Where plants struggle a little if not grown in soil with low pH, then Rhododendrons will always benefit from an annual feed of sequestered iron to ensure the plants do not suffer from iron deficiency which is indicated by interveinal chlorosis or yellowing of leaves between the veins.

Additional Interest: Azalea are a variety of Rhododendron that will produce very colourful shrubs in Spring/Summer. Flowers have 5 stamens whereas rhododendron have 10 stamens or more.

May also be listed as Rhododendron 'Santa Maria'